I hope very few people need this advice, but let me put it out there. If you’re heading towards a divorce, there are a lot of good reasons to use a professional divorce mediator.

A mediator is a trained, neutral facilitator who helps a divorcing couple reach agreement on issues related to finances and co-parenting. So why should you work with a mediator?

Issues are resolved, not escalated. Emotions run high in a divorce situation but mediators can keep the discussion constructive—always moving toward compromise and resolution. Of course, disagreements are inevitable, but mediators help the parties work through them.

Mediation is cost-effective. Attorneys have an important role in the divorce process, but mediation can help lay the groundwork for the final binding agreement. Handling these preliminary steps in a mediation setting is much less expensive than using attorneys as negotiators.

Mediation fosters co-parenting. The well-being of children from the marriage needs to be the number one concern for everyone. Mediators zero in on what’s emotionally and financially best for the kids and that principle tends to stay top of mind for both parties in the years that follow.

All aspects are considered. Divorcing couples sometimes try to “work out the details” themselves. That’s very mature and admirable, but it can only get you so far. Complex issues will inevitably pop up down the road that you didn’t foresee, and some of those could spell financial ruin. Working with a mediator upfront will give you peace of mind that all the issues have been addressed and there will be no surprises later.

Divorce is many things: expensive, scary, confrontational… Mediation can make it less so.

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